Paulo Bernardo believes Jota is only just getting started in his second spell at Celtic and insists the winger’s best form is still to come.
Jota returned to the Hoops in January after a frustrating 18 months away, a period in which he made just 35 appearances following his high-profile exit in the summer of 2023. It’s taken time for the Portuguese wide man to get up to speed, but recent performances suggest he’s finding his feet once again.
He’s now scored four goals since his return, with his most recent coming in the convincing 3-0 win over Hearts at the weekend. He’s also chipped in with two assists across his eight appearances since re-signing for the club.
While fans have been encouraged by his early contributions, there’s a growing sense that Jota is only scratching the surface of what he can deliver. That’s the view of fellow countryman Paulo Bernardo, who has seen firsthand the work Jota is putting in behind the scenes. [RecordSport]
“Jota has already shown a lot of quality during these games. I spoke to him and he feels much better now than he was when he arrived.
“I think he’s really important to the squad. At his age I think there is more to come from him and he came here to show that too.
“He wants to show his quality and he is doing really well at the moment. He’s working hard at Lennoxton every day. I think the best will come from him.”
With Celtic in the midst of a title push and potentially eyeing a domestic treble, Jota could have a major say in the season’s run-in. But it’s next season, with a full pre-season under his belt, where fans may once again see the winger hit the heights that made him a fan favourite during his first spell in Glasgow.
